Blood pulse measuring device, pulsation measuring device, and pressure measuring device

• US 6,210,340 B1
• Filed: 04/20/1999
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Higuchi, Koji, Yoshino, Masahito, Takahashi, Osamu, Amano, Kazuhiko, Miyazaki, Hajime, Funasaka, Tsukasa
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Connor, Cary
• Assistant Examiner(s): Natnithithadha, Navin
• Application Number:
  US09/117,677
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 600/481, 600/490, 600/499, 600/500, 600/501-502, 600/503, 600/485
• US Class Current: 600/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02427 Details of sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure

Abstract

A pulse wave measuring device is provided with a plurality of pulse wave measuring units. Each pulse wave measuring unit has a supporting member to which a beam of a pressure measuring device is attached. Contact portions at the distal end of the beam is in contact with the patient'"'"'s arm, so that piezoelectric elements mounted on the beam measures the stress variation according to pulsation of the patient'"'"'s radial artery. The supporting member has two pressing legs between which the contact portions of the beam are situated. The distal ends of the pressing legs are also pressed against the patient'"'"'s arm. The pressing legs are harder than the radial artery. The interval between the pressing legs can be altered by handling a micrometer head. The contact portions are situated back from the distal ends of the pressing legs.

Claims

1. A pulse wave measuring device for measuring pulse wave at a blood vessel of an organism, comprising:

a vessel pressing portion being pressed against a skin over the blood vessel of the organism;

a pulsation measuring sensor for measuring pulsation of the blood vessel pressed by the vessel pressing portion;

two vessel-vicinity pressing portions being harder than the blood vessel of the organism and having distal ends, respectively, the distal ends being pressed against the skin of the organism at both sides of the vessel pressing portion; and

adjusting means for adjusting an interval between the vessel-vicinity pressing portions.

2. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the vessel pressing portion is situated back from the distal ends of the vessel-vicinity pressing portions.

3. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the pulsation measuring sensor is a pressure sensor which outputs a pulse wave signal according to varying stress transmitted from the vessel pressing portion because of pulse wave of the blood vessel.

4. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 3, further comprising:

a beam supported by a support;

a plurality of the vessel pressing portions provided at the beam and arranged at intervals along a direction of the blood vessel of the organism; and

a plurality of the pressure sensors respectively corresponding to the vessel pressing portions.

5. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 4, wherein each of the pressure sensors comprises a piezoelectric element mounted on the beam for outputting an electric signal according to varying stress transmitted from the corresponding vessel pressing portion, the beam including a proximal portion and a thinner portion formed between the proximal portion and the vessel pressing portions, the thinner portion being thinner than other portions of the beam, the piezoelectric element being longer than the thinner portion and mounted on the thinner portion entirely and on another portion, which is closer to the proximal portion or vessel pressing portion than the thinner portion, partially.

6. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 4, wherein each of the pressure sensors comprises a piezoelectric element mounted on the beam for outputting an electric signal according to varying stress transmitted from the corresponding vessel pressing portion, an area of cross section of the thinner portion of the beam, on which the piezoelectric element is mounted, being equal to or less than 60% of an area of total cross section of the thinner portion and the piezoelectric element mounted thereon.

7. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 5, wherein an area of cross section of the thinner portion of the beam, on which the piezoelectric element is mounted, is equal to or less than 60% of an area of total cross section of the thinner portion and the piezoelectric element mounted thereon.

8. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 5, wherein the beam is divided so as to include a plurality of the thinner portions and the vessel pressing portions in order to measure stress variation at a plurality points on the blood vessel, and a plurality of the piezoelectric elements are provided on the thinner portions, respectively.

9. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the pulsation measuring sensor comprises emitting means for emitting a wave which progresses toward the blood vessel;

and receiving means for receiving the wave which is reflected from or penetrated through the blood vessel, and for outputting, on the basis of the received wave, a pulse wave signal according to pulse wave.

10. A pulse wave measuring device for measuring pulse wave at a blood vessel of an organism, comprising:

a vessel pressing portion being pressed against a skin over the blood vessel of the organism;

a pulsation measuring sensor for measuring pulsation of the blood vessel pressed by the vessel pressing portion; and

two vessel-vicinity pressing portions being harder than the blood vessel of the organism and having distal ends, respectively, the distal ends being pressed against the skin of the organism at both sides of the vessel pressing portion, the vessel pressing portion being situated back from the distal ends of the vessel-vicinity pressing portions; and

wherein the pulsation measuring sensor is a pressure sensor which outputs a pulse wave signal according to varying stress transmitted from the vessel pressing portion because of pulse wave of the blood vessel.

11. A pulse wave measuring device for measuring pulse wave at a blood vessel of an organism, comprising:

a vessel pressing portion being pressed against a skin over the blood vessel of the organism;

a pulsation measuring sensor for measuring pulsation of the blood vessel pressed by the vessel pressing portion; and

two vessel-vicinity pressing portions being harder than the blood vessel of the organism and having distal ends, respectively, the distal ends being pressed against the skin of the organism at both sides of the vessel pressing portion, the vessel pressing portion being situated back from the distal ends of the vessel-vicinity pressing portions; and

wherein the pulsation measuring sensor is a pressure sensor which outputs a pulse wave signal according to varying stress transmitted from the vessel pressing portion because of pulse wave of the blood vessel; and

further comprising;

a beam supported by a support;

a plurality of the vessel pressing portions provided at the beam and arranged at intervals along a direction of the blood vessel of the organism; and

a plurality of the pressure sensors respectively corresponding to the vessel pressing portions.

12. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 11, wherein each of the pressure sensors comprises a piezoelectric element mounted on the beam for outputting an electric signal according to varying stress transmitted from the corresponding vessel pressing portion, the beam including a proximal portion and a thinner portion formed between the proximal portion and the vessel pressing portions, the thinner portion being thinner than other portions of the beam, the piezoelectric element being longer than the thinner portion and mounted on the thinner portion entirely and on another portion, which is closer to the proximal portion or vessel pressing portion than the thinner portion, partially.

13. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 11, wherein each of the pressure sensors comprises a piezoelectric element mounted on the beam for outputting an electric signal according to varying stress transmitted from the corresponding vessel pressing portion, an area of cross section of the thinner portion of the beam, on which the piezoelectric element is mounted, being equal to or less than 60% of an area of total cross section of the thinner portion and the piezoelectric element mounted thereon.

14. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 12, wherein an area of cross section of the thinner portion of the beam, on which the piezoelectric element is mounted, is equal to or less than 60% of an area of total cross section of the thinner portion and the piezoelectric element mounted thereon.

15. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 12, wherein the beam is divided so as to include a plurality of the thinner portions and the vessel pressing portions in order to measure stress variation at a plurality points on the blood vessel, and a plurality of the piezoelectric elements are provided on the thinner portions, respectively.

16. A pulse wave measuring device for measuring pulse wave at a blood vessel of an organism, comprising:

a vessel pressing portion being pressed against a skin over the blood vessel of the organism;

a pulsation measuring sensor for measuring pulsation of the blood vessel pressed by the vessel pressing portion; and

two vessel-vicinity pressing portions being harder than the blood vessel of the organism and having distal ends, respectively, the distal ends being pressed against the skin of the organism at both sides of the vessel pressing portion, the vessel pressing portion being situated back from the distal ends of the vessel-vicinity pressing portions; and

wherein the pulsation measuring sensor comprises emitting means for emitting a wave which progresses toward the blood vessel; and

receiving means for receiving the wave which is reflected from or penetrated through the blood vessel, and for outputting, on the basis of the received wave, a pulse wave signal according to pulse wave.

17. A pulse wave measuring device for measuring a pulse wave at a blood vessel of an organism, comprising:

a beam supported by a support;

a plurality of vessel pressing portions provided at the beam and arranged at intervals along a direction of the blood vessel of the organism, each of the vessel pressing portion being pressed against a skin over the blood vessel of the organism;

a plurality of pressure sensors respectively corresponding to the vessel pressing portions, each of the pressure sensors outputting a pulse wave signal according to varying stress transmitted from the corresponding vessel pressing portion because of pulse wave of the blood vessel; and

two vessel-vicinity pressing portions being harder than the blood vessel of the organism and having distal ends, respectively, the distal ends being pressed against the skin of the organism at both sides of the vessel pressing portions.

18. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 17, wherein each of the pressure sensors comprises a piezoelectric element mounted on the beam for outputting an electric signal according to varying stress transmitted from the corresponding vessel pressing portion, the beam including a proximal portion and a thinner portion formed between the proximal portion and the vessel pressing portions, the thinner portion being thinner than other portions of the beam, the piezoelectric element being longer than the thinner portion and mounted on the thinner portion entirely and on another portion, which is closer to the proximal portion or vessel pressing portion than the thinner portion, partially.

19. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 17, wherein each of the pressure sensors comprises a piezoelectric element mounted on the beam for outputting an electric signal according to varying stress transmitted from the corresponding vessel pressing portion, an area of cross section of the thinner portion of the beam, on which the piezoelectric element is mounted, being equal to or less than 60% of an area of total cross section of the thinner portion and the piezoelectric element mounted thereon.

20. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 18, wherein an area of cross section of the thinner portion of the beam, on which the piezoelectric element is mounted, is equal to or less than 60% of an area of total cross section of the thinner portion and the piezoelectric element mounted thereon.

21. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 18, wherein the beam is divided so as to include a plurality of the thinner portions and the vessel pressing portions in order to measure stress variation at a plurality points on the blood vessel, and a plurality of the piezoelectric elements are provided on the thinner portions, respectively.

22. A pulse wave measuring device comprising:

a supporting member;

a perpendicular sliding member which is supported by the supporting member and slidable perpendicularly in relation to the supporting member;

measuring means situated at the perpendicular sliding member for measuring pulse wave at a blood vessel of an organism; and

first and second toothed portions formed at mutual sliding faces of the supporting member and the perpendicular sliding member, respectively and meshed with each other.

23. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 22, wherein first and second toothed portions are formed so as to restrict mutual slide of the supporting member and the perpendicular sliding member if a pulsation force is exerted thereto along their slidable direction when measuring pulse wave.

24. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 22, wherein the perpendicular sliding member includes an insertion hole, in which a diagnostician'"'"'s finger can be inserted, and an elastic membrane arranged within the insertion hole and at one end of the insertion hole.

25. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 24, wherein a groove is formed at the elastic membrane, the skin over the blood vessel of the organism being capable of positioned into the groove.

26. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 25, wherein the perpendicular sliding member is provided with finger-insertion means at which the insertion hole is formed, the finger-insertion means being rotatable in relation to the perpendicular sliding member.

27. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 25, wherein the perpendicular sliding member is provided with a pull portion on which a diagnostician'"'"'s finger can pull, so as to slide the perpendicular sliding member.

28. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 22, wherein the perpendicular sliding member includes an insertion hole penetrating perpendicularly, so that a diagnostician'"'"'s finger can pass therethrough.

29. A pulse wave measuring device comprising:

a supporting member;

a transverse sliding member which is supported by the supporting member and slidable transversely in relation to the supporting member;

a perpendicular sliding member which is supported by the transverse sliding member and slidable perpendicularly in relation to the transverse sliding member;

measuring means situated at the perpendicular sliding member for measuring pulse wave at a blood vessel of an organism;

third and fourth toothed portions formed at mutual sliding faces of the supporting member and the transverse sliding member, respectively and meshed with each other; and

fifth and sixth toothed portions formed at mutual sliding faces of the transverse sliding member and the perpendicular sliding member, respectively and meshed with each other.

30. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 29, wherein fifth and sixth toothed portions are formed so as to restrict mutual slide of the transverse sliding member and the perpendicular sliding member if a pulsation force is exerted thereto along their slidable direction when measuring pulse wave.

31. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 29, wherein the perpendicular sliding member includes an insertion hole, in which a diagnostician'"'"'s finger can be inserted, and an elastic membrane arranged within the insertion hole and at one end of the insertion hole.

32. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 31, wherein a groove is formed at the elastic membrane, the skin over the blood vessel of the organism being capable of positioned into the groove.

33. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 32, wherein the perpendicular sliding member is provided with finger-insertion means at which the insertion hole is formed, the finger-insertion means being rotatable in relation to the perpendicular sliding member.

34. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 32, wherein the perpendicular sliding member is provided with a pull portion on which a diagnostician'"'"'s finger can pull, so as to slide the perpendicular sliding member.

35. A pulse wave measuring device according to 29, wherein the perpendicular sliding member includes an insertion hole penetrating perpendicularly so that a diagnostician'"'"'s finger can pass therethrough.

36. A pulse wave measuring device comprising:

a supporting member;

a perpendicular sliding member which is supported by the supporting member and slidable perpendicularly in relation to the supporting member;

a transverse sliding member which is supported by the perpendicular sliding member and slidable transversely in relation to the perpendicular sliding member;

measuring means situated at the transverse sliding member for measuring a pulse wave at a blood vessel of an organism;

seventh and eighth toothed portions formed at mutual sliding faces of the supporting member and the perpendicular sliding member, respectively and meshed with each other; and

ninth and tenth toothed portions formed at mutual sliding faces of the perpendicular sliding member and the transverse sliding member, respectively and meshed with each other.

37. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 36, wherein seventh and eighth toothed portions are formed so as to restrict mutual slide of the supporting member and the perpendicular sliding member if a pulsation force is exerted thereto along their slidable direction when measuring pulse wave.

38. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 36, wherein the transverse sliding member includes an insertion hole, in which a diagnostician'"'"'s finger can be inserted, and an elastic membrane arranged within the insertion hole and at one end of the insertion hole.

39. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 38, wherein a groove is formed at the elastic membrane, the skin over the blood vessel of the organism being capable of positioned into the groove.

40. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 39, wherein the transverse sliding member is provided with finger-insertion means at which the insertion hole is formed, the finger-insertion means being rotatable in relation to the transverse sliding member.

41. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 36, wherein the transverse sliding member includes an insertion hole penetrating perpendicularly, whereby a diagnostician'"'"'s finger can pass therethrough.

42. A pulse wave measuring device comprising:

a supporting member;

a transverse sliding member which is supported by the supporting member and slidable transversely in relation to the supporting member, a screw hole being formed perpendicularly at the transverse sliding member;

eleventh and twelfth toothed portions formed at mutual sliding faces of the supporting member and the transverse sliding member, respectively and meshed with each other;

a perpendicular sliding member which is screwed in the screw hole of the transverse sliding member and movable perpendicularly to the transverse sliding member by rotation; and

measuring means situated at the perpendicular sliding member for measuring pulse wave at a blood vessel of an oryanism.

43. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 42, wherein the perpendicular sliding member includes an insertion hole, in which a diagnostician'"'"'s finger can be inserted, and an elastic membrane arranged within the insertion hole and at one end of the insertion hole.

44. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 43, wherein a groove is formed at the elastic membrane, the skin over the blood vessel of the organism being capable of positioned into the groove.

45. A pulse wave measuring device according to claim 42, wherein the transverse sliding member includes an insertion hole penetrating perpendicularly, whereby a diagnostician'"'"'s finger can pass therethrough.

46. A pulsation measuring device for measuring pulsation at a measured subject of a measured thing, comprising:

a subject pressing portion being pressed against a covering over the measured subject of the measured thing;

a pulsation measuring sensor for measuring pulsation of the measured subject pressed by the subject pressing portion;

two subject-vicinity pressing portions being harder than the measured subject of the measured thing and having distal ends, respectively the distal ends being pressed against the covering of the measured thing at both sides of the subject pressing portion; and

adjusting means for adjusting an interval between the subject-vicinity pressing portions.

47. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 46, wherein the subject pressing portion is situated back from the distal ends of the subject-vicinity pressing portions.

48. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 46, wherein the pulsation measuring sensor is a pressure sensor which outputs a pulsation signal according to varying stress transmitted from the subject pressing portion because of pulsation of the measured subject.

49. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 48, further comprising:

a beam supported by a support;

a plurality of the subject pressing portions provided at the beam and arranged at intervals along a direction of the measured subject of the measured thing; and

a plurality of the pressure sensors respectively corresponding to the subject pressing portions.

50. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 49, wherein each of the pressure sensors comprises a piezoelectric element mounted on the beam for outputting an electric signal according to varying stress transmitted from the corresponding subject pressing portion, the beam including a proximal portion and a thinner portion formed between the proximal portion and the subject pressing portions, the thinner portion being thinner than other portions of the beam, the piezoelectric element being longer than the thinner portion and mounted on the thinner portion entirely and on another portion, which is closer to the proximal portion or subject pressing portion than the thinner portion, partially.

51. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 49, wherein each of the pressure sensors comprises a piezoelectric element mounted on the beam for outputting an electric signal according to varying stress transmitted from the corresponding subject pressing portion, an area of cross section of the thinner portion of the beam, on which the piezoelectric element is mounted, being equal to or less than 60% of an area of total cross section of the thinner portion and the piezoelectric element mounted thereon.

52. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 50, wherein an area of cross section of the thinner portion of the beam, on which the piezoelectric element is mounted, is equal to or less than 60% of an area of total cross section of the thinner portion and the piezoelectric element mounted thereon.

53. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 50, wherein the beam is divided so as to include a plurality of the thinner portions and the subject pressing portions in order to measure stress variation at a plurality points on the measured subject, and a plurality of the piezoelectric elements are provided on the thinner portions, respectively.

54. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 46, wherein the pulsation measuring sensor comprises emitting means for emitting a wave which progresses toward the measured subject;

and receiving means for receiving the wave which is reflected from or penetrated through the measured subject, and for outputting, on the basis of the received wave, a pulsation signal according to pulsation.

55. A pulsation measuring device for measuring pulsation at a measured subject of a measured thing, comprising:

a subject pressing portion being pressed against a covering over the measured subject of the measured thing;

a pulsation measuring sensor for measuring pulsation of the measured subject pressed by the subject pressing portion; and

two subject-vicinity pressing portions being harder than the measured subject of the measured thing and having distal ends, respectively, the distal ends being pressed against the covering of the measured thing at both sides of the subject pressing portion, the subject pressing portion being situated back from the distal ends of the subject-vicinity pressing portions; and

wherein the pulsation measuring sensor is a pressure sensor which outputs a pulsation signal according to varying stress transmitted from the subject pressing portion because of pulsation of the measured subject.

56. A pulsation measuring device for measuring pulsation at a measured subject of a measured thing, comprising:

a subject pressing portion being pressed against a covering over the measured subject of the measured thing;

a pulsation measuring sensor for measuring pulsation of the measured subject pressed by the subject pressing portion; and

two subject-vicinity pressing portions being harder than the measured subject of the measured thing and having distal ends, respectively, the distal ends being pressed against the covering of the measured thing at both sides of the subject pressing portion, the subject pressing portion being situated back from the distal ends of the subject-vicinity pressing portions; and

wherein the pulsation measuring sensor is a pressure sensor which outputs a pulsation signal according to varying stress transmitted from the subject pressing portion because of pulsation of the measured subject; and

further comprising;

a beam supported by a support;

a plurality of the subject pressing portions provided at the beam and arranged at intervals along a direction of the measured subject of the measured thing; and

a plurality of the pressure sensors respectively corresponding to the subject pressing portions.

57. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 56, wherein each of the pressure sensors comprises a piezoelectric element mounted on the beam for outputting an electric signal according to varying stress transmitted from the corresponding subject pressing portion, the beam including a proximal portion and a thinner portion formed between the proximal portion and the subject pressing portions, the thinner portion being thinner than other portions of the beam, the piezoelectric element being longer than the thinner portion and mounted on the thinner portion entirely and on another portion, which is closer to the proximal portion or subject pressing portion than the thinner portion, partially.

58. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 56, wherein each of the pressure sensors comprises a piezoelectric element mounted on the beam for outputting an electric signal according to varying stress transmitted from the corresponding subject pressing portion, an area of cross section of the thinner portion of the beam, on which the piezoelectric element is mounted, being equal to or less than 60% of an area of total cross section of the thinner portion and the piezoelectric element mounted thereon.

59. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 57, wherein wherein an area of cross section of the thinner portion of the beam, on which the piezoelectric element is mounted, is equal to or less than 60% of an area of total cross section of the thinner portion and the piezoelectric element mounted thereon.

60. A pressure measuring device device according to claim 57, wherein the beam is divided so as to include a plurality of the thinner portions and the subject pressing portions in order to measure stress variation at a plurality points on the measured subject, and a plurality of the piezoelectric elements are provided on the thinner portions, respectively.

61. A pulsation measuring device for measuring pulsation at a measured subject of a measured thing, comprising:

a subject pressing portion being pressed against a covering over the measured subject of the measured thing;

a pulsation measuring sensor for measuring pulsation of the measured subject pressed by the subject pressing portion; and

two subject-vicinity pressing portions being harder than the measured subject of the measured thing and having distal ends, respectively, the distal ends being pressed against the covering of the measured thing at both sides of the subject pressing portion, the subject pressing portion being situated back from the distal ends of the subject-vicinity pressing portions; and

wherein the pulsation measuring sensor comprises emitting means for emitting a wave which progresses toward the measured subject; and

receiving means for receiving the wave which is reflected from or penetrated through the measured subject, and for outputting, on the basis of the received wave, a pulsation signal according to pulsation.

62. A pulsation measuring device for measuring pulsation at a measured subject of a measured thing, comprising:

a beam supported by a support;

a plurality of subject pressing portions provided at the beam and arranged at intervals along a direction of the measured subject of the measured thing, each of the subject pressing portion being pressed against a covering over the measured subject of the measured thing;

a plurality of pressure sensors respectively corresponding to the subject pressing portions, each of the pressure sensors outputting a pulsation signal according to varying stress transmitted from the corresponding subject pressing portion because of pulsation of the measured subject; and

two subject-vicinity pressing portions being harder than the measured subject of the measured thing and having distal ends, respectively, the distal ends being pressed against the covering of the measured thing at both sides of the subject pressing portions.

63. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 62, wherein each of the pressure sensors comprises a piezoelectric element mounted on the beam for outputting an electric signal according to varying stress transmitted from the corresponding subject pressing portion, the beam including a proximal portion and a thinner portion formed between the proximal portion and the subject pressing portions, the thinner portion being thinner than other portions of the beam, the piezoelectric element being longer than the thinner portion and mounted on the thinner portion entirely and on another portion, which is closer to the proximal portion or subject pressing portion than the thinner portion, partially.

64. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 62, wherein each of the pressure sensors comprises a piezoelectric element mounted on the beam for outputting an electric signal according to varying stress transmitted from the corresponding subject pressing portion, an area of cross section of the thinner portion of the beam, on which the piezoelectric element is mounted, being equal to or less than 60% of an area of total cross section of the thinner portion and the piezoelectric element mounted thereon.

65. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 63, wherein an area of cross section of the thinner portion of the beam, on which the piezoelectric element is mounted, is equal to or less than 60% of an area of total cross section of the thinner portion and the piezoelectric element mounted thereon.

66. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 63, wherein the beam is divided so as to include a plurality of the thinner portions and the subject pressing portions in order to measure stress variation at a plurality points on the measured subject, and a plurality of the piezoelectric elements are provided on the thinner portions, respectively.

67. A pulsation measuring device comprising:

a supporting member;

a perpendicular sliding member which is supported by the supporting member and slidable perpendicularly in relation to the supporting member;

measuring means situated at the perpendicular sliding member for measuring pulsation at a measured subject of a measured thing; and

first and second toothed portions formed at mutual sliding faces of the supporting member and the perpendicular sliding member, respectively and meshed with each other.

68. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 67, wherein first and second toothed portions are formed so as to restrict mutual slide of the supporting member and the perpendicular sliding member if a pulsation force is exerted thereto along their slidable direction when measuring pulsation.

69. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 67, wherein the perpendicular sliding member includes an insertion hole, in which a measurer'"'"'s finger can be inserted, and an elastic membrane arranged within the insertion hole and at one end of the insertion hole.

70. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 69, wherein a groove is formed at the elastic membrane, the covering over the measured subject of the measured thing being capable of positioned into the groove.

71. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 70, wherein the perpendicular sliding member is provided with finger-insertion means at which the insertion hole is formed, the finger-insertion means being rotatable in relation to the perpendicular sliding member.

72. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 70, wherein the perpendicular sliding member is provided with a pull portion on which a measurer'"'"'s finger can pull, so as to slide the perpendicular sliding member.

73. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 67, wherein the perpendicular sliding member includes an insertion hole penetrating perpendicularly, so that a measurer'"'"'s finger can pass therethrough.

74. A pulsation measuring device comprising:

a supporting member;

a transverse sliding member which is supported by the supporting member and slidable transversely in relation to the supporting member;

a perpendicular sliding member which is supported by the transverse sliding member and slidable perpendicularly in relation to the transverse sliding member;

measuring means situated at the perpendicular sliding member for measuring pulsation at a measured subject of a measured thing;

third and fourth toothed portions formed at mutual sliding faces of the supporting member and the transverse sliding member, respectively and meshed with each other; and

fifth and sixth toothed portions formed at mutual sliding faces of the transverse sliding member and the perpendicular sliding member, respectively and meshed with each other.

75. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 74, wherein fifth and sixth toothed portions are formed so as to restrict mutual slide of the transverse sliding member and the perpendicular sliding member if a pulsation force is exerted thereto along their slidable direction when measuring pulsation.

76. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 74, wherein the perpendicular sliding member includes an insertion hole, in which a measurer'"'"'s finger can be inserted, and an elastic membrane arranged within the insertion hole and at one end of the insertion hole.

77. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 76, wherein a groove is formed at the elastic membrane, the covering over the measured subject of the measured thing being capable of positioned into the groove.

78. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 77, wherein the perpendicular sliding member is provided with finger-insertion means at which the insertion hole is formed, the finger-insertion means being rotatable in relation to the perpendicular sliding member.

79. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 77, wherein the perpendicular sliding member is provided with a pull portion on which a measurer'"'"'s finger can pull, so as to slide the perpendicular sliding member.

80. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 74, wherein the perpendicular sliding member includes an insertion hole penetrating perpendicularly, so that a measurer'"'"'s finger can pass therethrough.

81. A pulsation measuring device comprising:

a supporting member;

a perpendicular sliding member which is supported by the supporting member and slidable perpendicularly in relation to the supporting member;

a transverse sliding member which is supported by the perpendicular sliding member and slidable transversely in relation to the perpendicular sliding member;

measuring means situated at the transverse sliding member for measuring pulsation at a measured subject of a measured thing;

seventh and eighth toothed portions formed at mutual sliding faces of the supporting member and the perpendicular sliding member, respectively and meshed with each other; and

ninth and tenth toothed portions formed at mutual sliding faces of the perpendicular sliding member and the transverse sliding member, respectively and meshed with each other.

82. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 81, wherein seventh and eighth toothed portions are formed so as to restrict mutual slide of the supporting member and the perpendicular sliding member if a pulsation force is exerted thereto along their slidable direction when measuring pulsation.

83. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 81, wherein the transverse sliding member includes an insertion hole, in which a measurer'"'"'s finger can be inserted, and an elastic membrane arranged within the insertion hole and at one end of the insertion hole.

84. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 83, wherein a groove is formed at the elastic membrane, the covering over the measured subject of the measured thing being capable of positioned into the groove.

85. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 84, wherein the transverse sliding member is provided with finger-insertion means at which the insertion hole is formed, the finger-insertion means being rotatable in relation to the transverse sliding member.

86. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 81, wherein the transverse sliding member includes an insertion hole penetrating perpendicularly, whereby a measurer'"'"'s finger can pass therethrough.

87. A pulsation measuring device comprising:

a supporting member;

a transverse sliding member which is supported by the supporting member and slidable transversely in relation to the supporting member, a screw hole being formed perpendicularly at the transverse sliding member;

eleventh and twelfth toothed portions formed at mutual sliding faces of the supporting member and the transverse sliding member, respectively and meshed with each other;

a perpendicular sliding member which is screwed in the screw hole of the transverse sliding member and movable perpendicularly to the transverse sliding member by rotation; and

measuring means situated at the perpendicular sliding member for measuring pulsation at a measured subject of a measured thing.

88. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 87, wherein the perpendicular sliding member includes an insertion hole, in which a measurer'"'"'s finger can be inserted, and an elastic membrane arranged within the insertion hole and at one end of the insertion hole.

89. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 88, wherein a groove is formed at the elastic membrane, the covering over the measured subject of the measured thing being capable of positioned into the groove.

90. A pulsation measuring device according to claim 87, wherein the transverse sliding member includes an insertion hole penetrating perpendicularly, whereby a measurer'"'"'s finger can pass therethrough.

91. A pressure measuring device comprising:

a beam having at least one proximal portion supported by a support;

a subject pressing portion provided at the beam and pressed against a measured subject; and

a piezoelectric element mounted on the beam for outputting an electric signal according to varying stress transmitted from the subject pressing portion, the beam including a thinner portion formed between the proximal portion and the subject pressing portion, the thinner portion being thinner than other portions of the beam, the piezoelectric element being longer than the thinner portion and mounted on the thinner portion entirely and on another portion partially, which is closer to the proximal portion or subject pressing portion than the thinner portion.

92. A pressure measuring device according to claim 91, wherein an area of cross section of the thinner portion of the beam, on which the piezoelectric element is mounted, is equal to or less than 60% of an area of total cross section of the thinner portion and the piezoelectric element mounted thereon.

93. A pressure measuring device according to claim 91, wherein the beam is divided so as to include a plurality of thinner portions and the subject pressing portions in order to measure stress variation at a plurality points on the measured subject, and a plurality of the piezoelectric elements are provided on the thinner portions, respectively.

94. A pressure measuring device comprising:

a beam having at least one proximal portion supported by a support;

a subject pressing portion provided at the beam and pressed against a measured subject; and

a piezoelectric element mounted on the beam for outputting an electric signal according to varying stress transmitted from the subject pressing portion, an area of cross section of the thinner portion of the beam, on which the piezoelectric element is mounted, being equal to or less than 60% of an area of total cross section of the thinner portion and the piezoelectric element mounted thereon.